Why Won’t My Dishwasher Turn On?

Discovering your dishwasher is broken isn’t a fun way to start your day, particularly if you have to deal with the expense of phoning a professional and taking time off work to meet them just to determine the problem.

The good news is it’s often easy to determine and often fix many dishwasher issues yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you happen to have a multimeter.

You might discover you are able to resolve the fault quite easily by yourself, especially if you are mechanically minded, and if not at least you will be better placed to describe the problem when you do have to phone a repair man.

Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start

In advance of searching for a replacement machine there are a few possible faults you should be able to identify fairly easily.

Safety Warning: Always make sure your dishwasher is unplugged before testing or replacing any electrical components.

Everyday Dishwasher Problems That Will Stop Your Machine From Turning On

Before you start going through the following list of possible faults make sure that it hasn’t been unplugged, and that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.

This is also an opportune moment to check if the child lock hasn’t been activated as well as try resetting your dishwasher.

You will probably need the manual for this due to the fact that models vary but the child lock is often fairly easy to put on accidentally. Similarly, if the machine has lights however will not start, the answer may be as simple as resetting the cycle.

Once you have ruled out these faults it’s time for the real investigations to start.

Check the door latch or door latch switch.

Check the timer.

Check the selector switch.

Examine the motor relay.

Check the thermal fuse.

Examine the drive motor.

To test these components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to measure the resistance as well as check the components are operating as they should.

Checking the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch

The first place to start is the door latches and door latch switches. Your dishwasher is designed not to operate if these are not working for understandable reasons. You wouldn’t want begin the machine without meaning to with the door open.

A broken switch will stop your dishwasher from starting as well as completing a cycle. You may wish to check the switch with a multimeter. The switch will usually be situated behind the front door panel or control panel.

Make sure you have disconnected power to the machine prior to accessing the door panel as well as checking for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.

If you discover the latches or switches are not working you will need a replacement door latch assembly.

Testing the Timer

If you have tested your door latch as well as door latch switch and ascertained they are working as they should the next thing to test is the timer or electronic control.

This is the component that distributes electricity to all the different electrical components the machine needs to operate including the pumps, plus the water inlet valve.

If your dishwasher is controlled electronically as opposed to mechanically then it could need to be checked while connected, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.

Checking the Selector Switch

The selector switch is the component that selects the program and will vary depending on the make as well as the model of your dishwasher. A broken selector switch or one that has got stuck might cause the dishwasher not to turn on.

You should be able to visually check to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you may be required to unplug the dishwasher in order to gain access to the control panel to test the contact points for continuity with the help of a multimeter.

Checking the Motor Relay

The motor relay is an alternative component that may cause your dishwasher not to run, thus this might be the fault if you have checked the control panel and so know that there is power going to the motor.

To check if this is the case you need to find the motor plus locate the relay that should be mounted next to the motor. This may then be removed as well as checked with a multimeter, if broken you may have to replace it.

Checking the Thermal Fuse

If you have investigated the above issues yet still haven’t found the fault the next part of the dishwasher to check would be the thermal fuse. This may or may not be present and is there to protect the control board.

If you locate the fuse and discover it is blown you will need to replace it in order for the control board to get power.

Examining the Drive Motor

The final component you could investigate that may stop your machine from running is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that circulates the water to wash your dishes.

When you have tested the other electrical components and still haven’t discovered the issue this may be the cause of the problem particularly if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.

You can usually locate the motor by removing the lower access panel. Test it using a multimeter then replace if faulty.

When to Get in Touch With a Professional

Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will be better off calling a repair person.

If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above tests then you could well be able to sort out the issue without assistance. Yet if you are con confident it might be easier to call in the professionals.

Plus examine your warranty and your home cover as dishwasher repairs could be covered which means the costs may not be as high as you think.